Taichung Airport (RMQ)

It is located about 15 kilometers north-west of the city center. It comprises two terminals, Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international).

Taichung Airport: Check-In Area.

Taichung Airport is the third international airport in Taiwan, after Taoyuan and Kaohsiung. It serves mostly regional international routes to China, Hong Kong and Macau. There are also routes to Korea (Seoul-Incheon, Muan), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi) and Japan (Okinawa, Oita). The focus in the new year is to attract Asian budget airlines, so during 2017, new lines will be added (to Bangkok, etc.).

Flying to/from Taichung Airport: pros and cons

If you travel to Taichung from abroad, you will have the choice between flying directly to Taichung Airport or, instead, flying to Taoyuan (Taipei) Airport and then reach Taichung City by land. These are some facts to consider about each choice:

Most of time there is no problem to get from Taoyuan International Airport to Taichung. But, on weekends and, especially, during national holidays, highways will be jammed and high speed trains can be fully booked.

The transit time from Taichung Airport to the city is about 20-50 minutes with a taxi, depending on traffic conditions. Fares range 350-700NTD for most destinations in Inner Taichung.

This shop in Taichung Airport Duty Free provide the last chance for a gift

What you can find in Taichung Airport

The airport is new, it has been built between the years 2003-2004 (domestic terminal) and 2008-2012 (international terminal). It provides all the services required for an international airport, even if a small one.

Immigration

Customs (Tax Refunds)

Currency exchange (06-23.00 hrs) and ATM

Visitor Information Center (08.00-21.00 hrs)

Service Counter (SIM cards, Pocket Wifi, Bus Cards and Bus Info)

Car Rental

Mobile Phones Charging Stations

Baggage Lockers

Food (light meals), both in the arrival and transit areas.

Duty Free

This kiosk, on the left hand side of the arrivals hall, provides bus info, bus cards, wifi and sim cards rental.

How to get from Taichung Airport to Taichung City

By Taxi

Since the airport is so close to the city, this may your best (and easiest) option. A taxi will costs between 350 and 700NTD for most of the places in Taichung. Don’t forget to print out the Chinese address of your destination to show to the taxi driver. Not many taxi drivers in Taichung speak any English. All taxis in Taiwan charge by the meter. Tips are not required.

By Bus

There is not any special bus service between the airport and the city. Taichung airport is only served by regular city buses. A kiosk in the arrival area provides information (in English) about bus routes from the airport. You can also buy I-Pass and EasyCards for 100 TWD (bus in Taichung are free up to 10km if you have any of these cards). More info here about the several bus routes serving the airport.

Pocket Wifi, I-Pass and EasyCards can be bought in this kiosk in Taichung Airport.

How to Get from Taichung Airport to Sun Moon Lake

Bus #6670 from Nantou Bus company runs frequently every day from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake (see timetable). Only one run per day, at 15:10hrs, leave from the airport and will reach Sun Moon Lake in 2 hours. During the rest of the day, you will have to reach Taichung HSR station by city bus #156 to board the bus #6670 mentioned above.

If instead you need an English speaking driver, licensed and insured, waiting for you at the arrivals, to drive you to your specific destination or hired by the hour, you will need a professional service such as Blacklane. I have not tried them yet, but their prices seem interesting – about 33 USD for a transfer to Taichung downtown, 110 USD to QingJing Farm, 90 USD from Taichung Airport to Sun Moon Lake. Check their services.

Hotel Reve: This affordable 3.5 stars is the closest to the airport, that is at only 7km. Good reviews from Tripadvisor. 10 minutes drive to the airport. It is also 7 km from Fengjia Night Market (bus#63, taxi 200 NTD). Book on Agoda.

Yes, you can. It is actually the device you can spot in the middle of the picture above. It costs 100 NT per day. There is kiosk (named Flycool) just on the left hand side of the arrival hall where you can rent it.